Dhaka has embraced the trend of ready-to-eat meal kits – prepped, nutritious meals delivered to your door. These culinary bundles, reflecting a cultural shift towards valuing time and health, offer convenience and variety, in addition to effortless deliciousness. They are perfectly tailored for the modern city lifestyle. Decide if such kits are for you, after assessing their pros and cons.
Unpacking the Benefits
TIME-SAVING
Pre-made meals eliminate the time-consuming tasks of grocery shopping and meal planning. No more browsing crowded aisles, comparing prices, or wrestling with indecisiveness over what to cook.
DELICIOUS AND HEALTHY CHOICES
Ready-to-eat meal kits can be your culinary compass, guiding you to flavourful, health-conscious choices that fit your unique dietary needs. No more repetitive meals – every day is a chance to explore different cuisines, all while effortlessly meeting your healthy eating goals. Enjoy butter chicken with brown rice for dinner one day, and switch it up with brown pasta and marinara the next. Low-carb doesn’t have to be boring.
PORTION CONTROL
Ready-to-eat meal kits are precisely portioned yet nutritionally balanced to make sure you do not starve or fill up excessively. They save you from the mental struggle of wondering if you are eating too much. You can savour a tasty dinner without feeling guilty. In addition, you not only avoid tossing leftovers, but also reduce the carbon footprint tied to wasted food.
EASE OF USE
Physical limitations should not restrict your food choices. Ready-to-eat meal kits break down the barriers, bringing the joy of flavourful, nourishing dishes within reach and empowering people of all ages and abilities to fuel their bodies with delicious, hassle-free meals.
THE PRESSURE TO CONSUME EVERY MEAL, EVEN WHEN ENJOYING SOCIAL LIFE OR TRYING NEW RESTAURANTS, REMOVES THE JOY FROM FOOD AND TURNS CONVENIENCE INTO A STRESSFUL OBLIGATION.
Weighing the Drawbacks
HIGH PRICING
While ready-to-eat meal kits promise convenience and health, a monthly cost of BDT 20,000 to 25,000 (excluding delivery) for two daily meals may be considered expensive by many prospective customers. This premium pricing excludes a large section of the population who could benefit from their ease and nutritional options. For the same price, grocery shopping offers greater variety and potentially larger portions, making it a more attractive option for budget-conscious individuals.
SUBSCRIPTION HASSLES
Skipping deliveries for outings can become a burden due to limited flexibility. The pressure to consume every meal, even when enjoying social life or trying new restaurants, removes the joy from food and turns convenience into a stressful obligation. The meals may eventually pile up and even go stale, leading to a waste of money and food.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The massive amount of plastic used in daily meal kit packaging poses a significant environmental threat. In Bangladesh, where recycling infrastructure is limited and climate change impacts are stark, this plastic overload is even more concerning. The production and transportation of this plastic generates a significant carbon footprint, potentially negating any environmental benefits that ready-to-eat meal kits might offer.
OVERDEPENDENCE
Overdependence on pre-made meals can hinder the development of basic cooking skills and food knowledge. Consumers can become accustomed to them, potentially diminishing their ability to cook independently, improvise with leftovers, or adapt recipes to their preferences. This reliance can hamper long-term dietary choices and the confidence to navigate the kitchen with creativity. More than just filling plates, cooking sparks learning, and empowers us with skills like problem-solving and budgeting that ripple through every aspect of life.
If packed schedules and dietary goals make you crave the ease of ready-to-eat meal kits, services like Fitmealbd, Lean Nation, FeedMe, Magic Diet, and Mizz.T. offer convenience and health-conscious options. But if cost-consciousness or culinary passion define your lifestyle, exploring alternative solutions like efficient grocery shopping or embracing in-kitchen adventures might be a more fulfilling match. Consider your unique needs before deciding which way is your perfect recipe for success.
Photograph: Collected